Tropical Primary Forest Loss Declines Despite Persistent Threats
The latest edition of the Global Forest Review reveals a significant drop in tropical primary forest loss, falling by more than one-third from 2024 to 2025. Primary forests—those intact or minimally disturbed by human activity—have seen some reprieve, yet the data still paints a sobering picture. The World Resources Institute, co-author of the report, warns that current deforestation rates remain 46% higher than a decade ago. Much of the decline is attributed to fewer extreme fires compared to last year's record-breaking season.
Regional Progress and Persistent Drivers
Brazil continues to be the country with the largest area of primary forest loss, but progress is evident. Deforestation fell by 42% year-on-year, thanks to a multi-stakeholder government task force involving civil society, academia, local communities, and the private sector, as reported by Agência Brasil. Similarly, Indonesia, Malaysia and Colombia have seen improvements linked to better governance, recognition of Indigenous land rights, and corporate pledges for deforestation-free supply chains (EnviroNews Nigeria).
Despite these gains, the overall level of deforestation remains “far above” what is needed to meet international targets to halt and reverse forest loss by 2030, notes BusinessGreen. Fires still pose a growing threat that could undo recent progress, while agricultural expansion continues to be the primary driver of forest loss worldwide, according to Reuters.
EU Deforestation Law Faces Backlash and Modifications
After heavy industry lobbying, the European Commission has decided to exclude leather imports from its landmark anti-deforestation law. Reuters reports that leather industry groups argued leather is a low-value by-product of meat production and does not incentivise the cattle farming that drives deforestation. Notably, imported beef remains covered by the legislation.
UK MPs Push for Long-Overdue Regulations
Across the English Channel, a group of UK parliamentarians has published an open letter demanding the implementation of long-overdue rules to stop UK imports linked to illegal deforestation. While the forest-risk regulation was introduced in the Environment Act 2021, lawmakers have spent four years delaying its enforcement, as highlighted in a Mongabay report from last year.
EU-Mercosur Trade Deal Finally Moves Forward
After 25 years of negotiations, the provisional application of the EU-Mercosur trade agreement began on 1 May, according to Euractiv. The deal—covering the European bloc and four South American nations—has been controversial, with environmentalists warning it could fuel deforestation. Its implementation will be closely watched to see whether it undermines or complements the EU's deforestation law.
Conservation Spotlight: Saving ‘India’s Galapagos’
(Note: The original newsletter included a section on the conservation of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, often called ‘India’s Galapagos’. However, the provided text did not include details. Readers are encouraged to follow Carbon Brief’s Cropped newsletter for the full story.)